AccorHotels acquires 50% stake in South Africa’s Mantis Group

AccorHotels has announced today a strategic partnership with Mantis Group, a South Africa-based hospitality and travel conglomerate.

Mantis Group owns a collection of privately-owned, managed and branded five-star properties located around the world across all seven continents. From boutique hotels, eco-lodges, game reserves and luxury houseboats to adventure tourism and tour operations.

The agreement reinforces AccorHotels as a strong entity in curated one-of-a-kind experiences and resonates with Mantis Group’s conservation platform.

The Mantis network features 28 managed properties, plus a global network of branded hotels and residences. It includes boutique villas and flagship properties such as Founders Lodge – a South African game reserve located in the Eastern Cape, Mantis St Helena – a boutique hotel on the remote island in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Draycott Hotel in London, synonymous with Old World elegance and quintessential British luxury.

This strategic partnership is accompanied by the launch of Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA), a non-profit organization (NGO) which aims to amplify both groups’ commitment towards preventing the accelerating decline of Africa’s wildlife and bringing together three internationally renowned conservation organizations – Wilderness Foundation, Tusk Trust and African Parks.

“We are reinforcing the group’s (AccorHotels) footprint in Africa and we have access to a brand with strong roots and heritage”

Sebastien Bazin, chairman and CEO, AccorHotels said: “Mantis is a pioneer in customized one-of-a-kind travel services in some of the most imaginative hotels across the world. With this strategic partnership, we are reinforcing the Group’s footprint in Africa and we have access to a brand with strong roots and heritage, recognised for its commitment to preserving the environment and its prestigious credentials in the hospitality space.”

Founder and chairman of the Mantis Group, Adrian Gardiner, commented: “AccorHotels is one of the fastest growing hotel and travel operators worldwide. This agreement presents an attractive proposition for the Mantis Group to utilize AccorHotels’ robust distribution channels and worldwide reach to further develop the hospitality concepts and sustainability projects we have worked so tirelessly to grow. We are excited to embark on this new chapter alongside AccorHotels where we will act as ambassadors for the development of both our Groups’ portfolios and offerings.”

“This agreement presents an attractive proposition for the Mantis Group to utilize AccorHotels’ robust distribution channels and worldwide reach”

Celebrated for its far-flung experiences for the adventure curious, the Mantis Group also owns and operates a number of unique luxury houseboats and a lodge under the Zambezi Queen Collection brand.

This partnership will strengthen AccorHotels’ leadership position in Africa and will combine the vision of embodying conservation and education into its operations.

Mantis strives to conserve the biodiversity of the landscapes that host its properties and share the ecotourism benefits with local communities. Highlights of Mantis’ success in conservation include the support and sponsorship of initiatives for the Wilderness Foundation Africa, Tusk Trust and various other conservation NGOs.